would it even be worth it to continue with the board I bought?

Question

Ok… so me and my friend have decided to pick up surfing some weeks ago. We have rented boards for the past 3 or 4 weeks (10 foot longboards), and they were great fun! Very easy to ride and catch waves and get a good feel for surfing. This weekend we decided to look into buying some boards so we would not have to rent anymore. So we went to one of the first shops we heard of and told them where we surfing and asked what would be a good “next step up” from a long board (we were looking at a used board selection and the shorter sized boards seemed to be less expensive at this particular store). The guy at the shop advised us on getting two 5’9 and 5’10 fish boards. He said it would be easy to catch waves because of the width and thickness, and it would be a good next step.
So listening to this guy and not having much experience… I believed him. I am a 6 foot tall 170 pound male. My board dimensions are 5’10”-21”-26.3” I bought my board for more money than I would care to admit and went surfing the very next day. It was difficult. I got up a few times but I usually fell as soon as I tried to stand up. After being in the water for about five hours I decided to give up for the day. I was very worried and concerned prior to that session because after buying the board I read some forums online about how the length would be an issue (something I feel the guy I bought it from should have told me….and something I should have researched before making this STUPID impulsive purchase). I decided to try and return the board and explained my situation, and the owner told me I was surfing in the wrong spot and I needed a more powerful break. He told me to give it another two or three weeks surfing 2-3 times per week, and said that if it still didn’t work out then they could take the boards and sell them for me getting 20% of the commission (meaning they would not take the board back even though I had it less than 24 hours :/). I knew that it would be a big transition and I am still motivated to continue with the board I bought, however reading all these forums about board length still has me worried (forums said a rough estimate of fish board length for beginners should be 3 inches taller than your height).
I definitely let my inexperience get the best of me in this case. So all arrogance aside for now, my question is… would it even be worth it to continue with the board I bought? Or should I just cut my losses and put it on craigslist buying a board more suited for my weight and height? I am currently able to go out twice a week and for the past 5 weeks now I have made a habit of it. I am still going to try the new spots he recommended regardless and I haven’t given up yet!

Answer 1

You got some bad advice. I'm sorry to hear that, I place a lot of faith in the folks in most surf shops.



What you need a surfboard that floats you well enough to paddle and catch a wave at your PRESENT SKILL LEVEL at YOUR PRESENT SIZE. We don't know anywhere near enough about you, or where you surf. And, we don't have any opportunity for dialogue. I am afraid that you might not have really explained just how NEW you really were to surfing. There are lots of guys your size that ride boards like the one that you bought. Just not at your skill level.



Don't waste your time on line, we don't know anywhere nearly enough about you, or where you surf, how well you surf, your size (weight is import, height isn't), skill level and local wave conditions, and we don't have an opportunity to discuss these things with you. We aren't your surfing buddies, we don't necessarily surf where you or know anybody who does. Go to a GOOD surf shop (or a shop where ever you usually surf) and discuss your options with the folks in the shop. Be sure they know you are a real novice. Dopn't let your ego get in your way. They can give you far better advice than anybody out here in 'cyberspace'.



Keep that fish in the garage. i suspect it is a nice board. I have several 'retro fish" boards that I ride pretty regularly. After some time on a good intermediate sized board,and perhpas a few LESSONS, uopu will be ready to ride that fish some day.



Anybody who would give you SPECIFIC advice as to what size or type board to buy on-line is foolish. Anybody who would take that advice is more foolish



And, I know there are lots of nice kids who want to share information with you on line. But don't take the advice from youngsters, who may know even less than you do about surfing, a surfboard is a big investment. I hope you are mature enough to read through the BS that lots of people throw at you on line. Go spend some time with the folks in a good shop. They will help you find a board that is "just right" for you and your budget.



After 47 years of surfing, I still get my surfboard buying advice from good local shops in the different places where I surf. If possible avoid popouts. Here is why:http://www.mckevlins.com/no%20pops.html



Good luck, and work on your skill, and talk to the local guys.

Answer 2

Hey Oliver,

Sorry about your situation. I have been surfing for 32 years and have never really had a good experience purchasing a board. Probably more my fault I never really learned much about boards even though I surf all the time. Don't feel bad about your "impulse" purchase wanting to surf and get a board to do it is a good thing. All of us surfers have spent a whole bunch of money for boards.

I would take his advice and keep trying that board. Maybe even give it more time then he suggested. A 10 foot board is very easy for anybody to ride. If you ever want to surf the shorter boards it will be a big transition and will not be easy. Surfing a short board is very hard - but very very fun once you get the hang of it. I use my short board whenever the waves are good. I love riding a short board and would suggest you give it all you got to learn on the board you have. A few months down the line you may be thanking that good for nothing sales dude that sold you the board. Good Luck and remember surfing is the best sport known to man kind! but it takes work to learn.



Try and find others with boards and try there boards out and next time you purchase you may be better educated.

Don't expect too much from the surfboard sales people. I have bought 20 - 30 boards in my life and never felt like the sales dude was there to help. I think they are as bad as used car salesmen.

Answer 3

You seem to have the motivation so if I were you I would keep at it with your current board. When it comes to beginner or non-performance surfboards the biggest factor is volume, not length. A fish is has a lot of volume for its height and is supposed to be surfed in less powerful waves. So you should be up and riding soon!